V 


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ADDRESS 


’*1'#  wn  . i i • c vn  '•  0F 


THE  MANAGERS 


AMERICAN  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY, 


THE  PEOPLE  OP  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


Adopted  at  their  Meeting , June  10,  183'!. 


‘ WHAT  OUGHT  TO  BE  DONE,  CAN  BE  DONE.’ 


WASHINGTON: 


1832. 

PRINTED  BY  JAMES  C.  DUNN,  GEORGETOWN,  D.  C. 


!)C5»Postage  on  this  sheet  as  a periodical,  by  order  of  the  Post-Master  General,  under 
100  miles  1 1-2  Cents— over,  2 1-2. 


TO  THE  PEOPLE  OP  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


Tiik  practicability  of  colonizing  in  Africa,  any  number  of  the 
Free  People  of  Colour  of  the  United  States,  that  may  choose  to 
'emigrate,  being  demonstrated;  the  Managers  of  the  American  Co- 
lonization Society,  address  their  fellow-citizens,  under  a deep  con- 
viction, that  this  whole  nation  is  now  summoned  to  aid  the  work, 
by  the  most  weighty  considerations  of  interest,  duty,  and  charity. 
Believing,  as  the  Managers  do,  that  it  is  a work  of  immediate  and 
vast  importance,  on  the  accomplishment  of  which,  depends  the  tem- 
poral and  eternal  happiness  of  mihions  in  this  country,  and  in  Af- 
rica, and  which  can  be  adequately  done  only  by  the  combined 
powers  of  the  nation,  they  are  urged  irresistably,  to  make  an  ap- 
peal in  its  behalf  to  all  the  patriotic,  humane,  and  religious  of  the 
land.  Nor  can  they  doubt  that  ten  thousand  hearts  will  respond 
to  this  appeal,  and  ten  thousand  hands  be  stretched  out  with  offer- 
ings to  a cause,  invested,  with  all  that  can  attract  affection  and  kin- 
dle enthusiasm  in  the  noblest  minds.  Of  the  success  of  the  plan, 
they  can  now  speak  not  merely  with  hope,  but  with  confidence. — 
A Colony  of  more  than  two  thousand  persons,  firmly  established, 
well-ordered  and  well-governed,  prosperous  in  trade;  moral  and 
religious  in  character;  with  schools  and  churches;  courts  of  justice, 
and  a periodical  press;  enlarging  its  territory,  and  growing  in 
strength;  respected  by  all  who  have  visited  it  from  Europe,  and  ex- 
erting a salutary  and  extensive  influence  over  the  native  tribes, 
now  offers  an  asylum  for  our  free  coloured  population,  and  to  our 
citizens,  every  means  and  motive  for  conferring  freedom  ou  those 
who  enjoy  it  not,  and  imparting  civilization  and  Christianity  to  Af- 
rica. 

Though  the  Managers  regard  the  scheme  of  the  Society,  as  es- 
sentially connected  with  the  purity  and  stability  of  our  political  in- 
stitutions, and  the  glory  of  our  national  character,  yet  it  is  rather  in 
its  benevolent  aspect  towards  a long  alflicted  and  degraded  peo- 
ple, in  the  midst  of  us,  and  their  more  wretched  brethren  in  Afri- 
ca, that  they  would  commend  it  to  the  patronage  of  the  public. — 
That  there  are  causes  operating  to  retard  the  improvement  and  de- 
press the  minds  of  the  free  people  of  colour  in  the  United  States, 
which  no  benevolence  nor  even  Religion,  can  for  ages,  if  ever  remove; 
and  that  the  elevation,  to  any  great  degree,  of  our  coloured  popula- 
tion generally,  depends  upon  their  settlement  as  a distinct  commu- 
nity, in  some  country  beyond  the  reach  of  those  embarrassing  cir- 
cumstances, from  which,  neither  humanity  nor  legislation  can  re- 
lieve them  here,  the  Managers  consider  decided  both  by  reason 
and  experience.  It  is  not  merely  with  law  and  prejudice  that  the 


free  man  of  colour  has  here  to  coutend;  but  with  superior  know- 
ledge, wealth  and  influence,  with  a competition  to  which  he  is  un- 
equal, with  a deep  sense  of  the  thraldom  of  his  past,  and  the  dis- 
advantages of  his  present  condition,  with  an  inwrought  conviction, 
that  whatever  may  be  the  ^worthy  temporal  object,  of  his  pursuit, 
he  has  little  prospect  of  attaining  it,  and  that  neither  he  nor  his 
brethren  can  stem  the  tide,  which  beats  against  him  in  almost  every 
course  of  life. 

In  Liberia,  he  exhibits  not  the  semblance,  but  the  reality  of 
freedom,  stands  forth  conscious  that  no  barrier  opposes  his  progress 
in  improvement,  feels  his  spirit  stirred  by  new  motives  and  better 
hopes,  is  awakened  to  the  conviction  that  a great  practicable  good 
is  to  be  achieved  by  him,  not  for  himself  alone,  but  for  his  posteri- 
ty,'and  his  race  throughout  all  time  and  throughout  the  world; 
experiences,  in  fine,  almost  the  power  of  a new  creation  forming 
him  for  actions  worthy  of  his  nature  and  his  destiny.  That  a 
change,  so  striking  and  beneficial,  is  realized  by  the  intelligent  and 
well-disposed  man  of  colour  on  his  arrival  at  the  Colony,  is  proved 
by  abundant  and  unquestionable  testimony.  The  officers  of  our 
own  Navy,  as  well  as  enlightened  foreigners,  have  witnessed  with 
wonder  and  delight  this  transformation,  from  imbecility  and  hope- 
lessness, to  activity,  and  confidence,  and  manliness  and  high  antici- 
pations. 

But  while  the  Society  would  confer  upon  free  men  of  colour  un- 
speakable blessings,  it  offers  the  best  asylum  for  slaves  manumitted 
from  regard  to  interest,  humanity  or  conscience.  Who  does  not 
know  that  in  many  States,  the  right  of  emancipation  has  been  de- 
nied to  the  master,  on  the  ground,  that  the  exercise  of  such  right 
wmuld  be  inconsistent  with  the  public  good?  Yet  the  restrictions 
of  law  have  to  a great  extent  proved  ineffectual  to  prevent  manu- 
mission, and  numerous  slaves  have  been  transferred  to  other  States, 
wherein  they  might  enjoy,  at  least,  nominal  freedom,  though  still 
untouched  by  the  spirit,  and  denied  the  blessings  of  Genuine  Li- 
berty. The  Society  adhering  closely  to  its  original  design  and 
principles,  and  exerting  no  influence  upon  slavery,  except  a moral 
influence,  through  the  will  of  the  master;  gives  freedom  to  that  will, 
relieves  it  from  every  embarrassment,  and  demonstrates  to  the  view 
of  all  concerned,  how  emancipation  to  any  and  every  extent  desired, 
may  be  effected,  not  with  danger  or  detriment,  but  rather  with 
advantage  to  the  public,  and  vast  and  perpetual  benefit  to  the 
slave.  Certain  it  is,  that  thousands  of  our  fellow-citizens,  whose 
dearest  interests  are  identified  with  the  prosperity  and  honour  of 
the  South,  give  their  countenance  and  aid  to  the  Society,  not 
merely  because  it  is  most  beneficial  to  the  people  of  colour  al- 
ready free,  but  as  offering  powerful  inducements  to  voluntary  man- 
umission by  individuals,  and  States.  And  true  it  is,  that  the  ene- 
mies of  the  Society  are  reduced  to  two  classes,  those  who  would 
abolish  slavery  instantaneously,  and  those  who  desire  it  may  never 
■be  abolished.  Hundreds  are  now  freemen  in  Liberia,  who  were 


recently  slaves  in  tlie  United  States,  and  many  others  of  the  same 
class  are  held  in  trust  for  the  Society  whenever  its  means  shall  be 
adequate  to  their  colonization. 

13ut  Africa  makes  her  appeal  to  our  sympathy  and  charity,  in  3 
tone  of  earnestness  and  distress  to  which  we  are  bound  to  listen, 
and  which  the  Board  trust  cannot  be  resisted.  It  is  along  her 
dark  shores  and  over  her  immense  but  uncultivated  fields,  that 
the  Society  will  dispense  its  richest  blessings.  What  a night 
of  gloom  and  terror  has  settled,  for  ages,  on  her  land!  Her 
immense  population  covered  with  barbarism,  given  up  as  prey 
to  outrage  and  violence,  cursed  by  a traffic  which  has  set  brother 
against  brother,  desolated  families  and  villages,  excited  the  worst 
passions  of  savage  nature,  ruthlessly  sundered  all  the  ties  of  kin- 
dred and  affection,  and  seizing  with  merciless  and  unyielding  grasp 
its  bleeding  and  broken-hearted  victims,  borne  them  crowded  and 
crushed  and  dying  into  foreign  and  hopeless  bondage!  And  even 
now,  when  her  cries  have  pierced  the  heart  of  Christendom,  when 
states  and  kingdoms  have  legislated  and  united  to  put  an  end  to 
her  sufferings,  still  torn,  plundered,  and  robbed  of  her  children  by 
the  pirates  of  all  nations;  she  stretches  out  her  hands  and  casts  an 
imploring  eye  towards  the  friends  of  God  and  man,  in  this  free  and 
blessed  country,  for  that  deliverance,  which  she  has  looked  for  in 
vain  to  all  the  world  beside. 

And  who  can  doubt  that  to  this  Nation  the  interests  of  the 
African  race  are,  by  Providence,  especially  entrusted.  The 
means  by  which  our  high  and  solemn  duty  to  her  is  to  be  discharg- 
ed, is  evident.  Her  exiled  children  in  the  midst  of  us,  are  wait- 
ing to  return  to  her,  not  as  they  came,  ignorant  and  enslaved  barba- 
rians, but  free  and  instructed  Christians,  capable  with  the  aid  that 
we  can  give  them,  of  founding  upon  her  shores  civilized  institu- 
tions, of  becoming  teachers  and  guides  toiler  people,  of  inculcating 
among  them,  those  lessons  of  wisdom,  which  men  with  few  advanta- 
ges are  not  always  the  last  to  learn,  that  the  duty  of  man  is  never  at 
war  with  his  interest,  and  that  happiness  is  the  handmaid  of  virtue. 
Already  in  the  vicinity  of  Liberia  are  they  abandoning  the  traffic 
in  slaves,  for  a more  peaceful  commerce  and  the  humane  arts  of  life, 
and  numerous  tribes  have  sought  the  protection  and  adopted,  as 
their  own,  the  laws  of  the  Colony. 

That  similar  colonies  established  at  proper  intervals  along  the 
whole  coast  of  western  Africa,  by  men  of  the  same  complexion 
andancestry  with  the  natives, and  who,  having  suffered,  themselves, 
can  commisserate  their  afflicted  brethren,  who,  consenting  and  as- 
sisted to  emigrate,  not  from  mere  selfish  views,  but  by  the  holier  mo- 
tives of  philanthropy  and  religion,  that  such  colonies  will  erect  im- 
passable barriers  between  the  parties  in  the  slave  trade,  and  by 
opening  to  the  African  tribes  the  sources  of  a better  commerce  and 
communicating  to  them  a knowledge  of  the  Christian  faith,  win 
them  over  to  the  love  and  practice  of  truth,  and  sociil  virtue,  may 
be  as  confidently  expected,  as  that  any  moral  means,  well  directed, 
will  reform  a debased  and  uncivilized  people. 


True  it  is  asked,  will  the  ignorant  and  degraded  men  of  colour  ol  this 
country  become  the  best  missionaries  toenligliten  and  regenerate  Af- 
rica? To  this  we  reply  that  there  are  men  ofcolour  in  the  U.  S.  who 
are  well  informed  and  exemplary  Christians,  that  such  as  these  have 
founded  our  present  African  Colony,  that  the  very  work  to  which 
they  are  called  will  develope  their  powers,  and  give  elevation  to 
their  character,  and  finally,  that  plans  for  education  and  improve- 
ment commensurate  with  the  necessities  of  every  settlement  which 
may  he  made,  enter  essentially  into  the  views  of  the  society. 

If  in  a little  more  than  two  centuries,  our  own  country  has  by 
colonization  been  changed  from  a wilderness  into  a fruitful  field,  if 
a free  and  enlightened  Nation  of  twelve  millions  has  sprung  up 
here,  where  but  lately,  the  wolf  and  savage  roamed  unmolested 
amid  boundless  forests,  where  nature  looked  wild  and  rude  as 
they;  if  beautiful  villages,  and  populous  cities,  Hallsof  Legislation, 
magnificent  Edifices,  Temples  of  justice  and  a thousand  Churches 
stand  before  us  the  monuments  of  our  greatness;  what  may  we  not 
anticipate  for  Africa  from  the  settlement  of  civilized  and  Christian 
men  upon  her  shores?  And  by  whom  can  such  settlements  be  so 
well  founded,  as  by  the  free  people  of  colour  of  the  United  States? 
Does  not  Providence  clearly  invite  them  to  a work  of  unexampled 
promise,  to  their  posterity  and  mankind?  And  is  not  this  nation 
urged  to  assist  them  by  the  same  Providence  not  less  manifestly , 
and  by  motives  as  numerous  and  great  as  ever  wrought  upon  the 
human  mind. 

The  Managers  feel  that  the  time  has  come,  when  it  were  crimi- 
nal on  this  subject,  to  be  silent.  They  feel  that  something  should 
he  done,  compared  with  which  all  that  has  been  done  is  nothing. — 
They  know  that  a spirit  should  go  abroad  throughout  all  the  bor- 
ders of  the  land,  like  that  which  kindled  in  the  hearts  of  our  fath- 
ers, when  they  staked  their  all  for  independence;  that  every  lover 
of  man  and  of  God,  is  called,  as  by  a mandate  from  Heaven,  to  lift 
up  his  voice  and  bring  forward  his  contribution  to  effect  an  object, 
the  doing  of  which,  will  in  all  after  ages,  be  deemed  our  Nation’s 
chief  glory,  while  Africa  will  record  and  celebrate  it,  as  the  great 
moral  revolution  in  her  history.  True,  the  woik  is  a great  one;  and 
therefore,  worthy  of  a nation  like  this.  That  it  is  practicable  to 
any  extent  desired,  is  as  evident  as  that  it  is  great.  The  sum 
saved  in  a single  year  to  the  state  of  New  York,  by  the  partial  re- 
formation from  intemperance,  would  transport  to  Africa  the  annual 
increase  ofthe  whole  coloured  population  of  the  U.S.  And  shall  we, 
the  most  prosperous  people  in  the  world,  who  are  legislating  not  to 
increase,  hut  reduce  our  revenue,  want  for  such  an  object,  a mere  pit- 
tance of  that  which  is,  yearly,  by  luxury  and  intemperance  worse 
than  wasted?  The  magnitude  of  the  rvork  and  the  expense  to  be  in- 
curred in  its  accomplishment,  constitute  no  valid  objections  to  it,  be- 
cause the  importance  and  glory  of  it  exceed  the  former,  and  our  means 
the  latter.  And  that  history  gives  no  precedent  for  such  a work,  will 
prove  but  a miserable  apology  for  neglecting  it,  unless  it  be  reasona- 


7 


r 

ble  to  make  the  standard  of  our  duly  and  the  measure  of  our  renown 
correspond  to  those  of  long  buried  nations,  rather  than  to  the 
greatness  of  our  obligations  to  God,  of  our  opportunities  and  means 
of  usefulness  and  the  height  of  Christian  charily.  Surely  the  peo- 
ple of  the  United  States  cannot  forget  how  God  hath  delivered  ahd 
exalted  them  by  his  own  right  hand,  that  the  light  of  their  exam- 
ple might  bless  the  world;  nor  will  they  sacrilice  both  duty  and 
renown,  for  fear  of  showing  to  mankind  that  it  is  possible  for  na- 
tions as  well  as  individuals  to  be  magnanimous  and  illustrious  for 
virtue. 

The  Managers  appeal  then  to  the  clergy  of  every  denomina- 
tion, and  invite  them,  annually,  on  or  near  the  day  consecrated  to 
the  memory  of  our  Independence,  to  bring  the  claims  of  the  Society 
before  their  people,  and  to  receive,  in  furtherance  of  its  object,  such 
free-will  offerings  as  gratitude  to  God  and  love  to  men  may  incline 
them  to  bestow. 

They  appeal  to  the  Auxiliary  Societies  and  urge  them  to  come 
forward  with  increased  power  to  the  work,  to  assist  in  forming 
other  kindred  associations,  and  by  widely  diffusing  information  to 
excite  the  whole  American  community,  duly  to  consider  and  pro- 
mote the  cause. 

To  their  fair  country-women,  who  are  ever  first  to  feel  for 
the  wretched,  and  foremost  to  administer  relief,  whose  moral 
influence  in  society,  though  their  own  modesty  may  under- 
value it,  humanity  and  religion  acknowledge  to  be  of  vast  power 
and  unspeakable  worth,  Africa,  darker  in  her  mourning  than  her 
complexion,  offers  in  silent  grief,  her  plea,  which  it  were  impos- 
sible to  render  more  convincing  by  argument,  or  touching  by  elo- 
quence. She  looks  to  American  benevolence  as  to  that  in  which 
all  her  precious  hopes  are  treasured  up,  and  for  their  fulfilment, 
nature  itself  will  plead  more  strongly  than  we  can,  in  every  female 
heart. 

Nor  would  the  Managers  omit  to  say  to  those  who  control  the 
public  press,  that  almost  omnipotent  engine  for  moving  human 
minds  to  action,  that  to  them,  belongs  the  power  of  securing  to  the 
design  of  this  Society,  the  amplest  means  for  its  speedy  consumma- 
tion. Let  every  Editor  in  the  country,  feel  himself  responsible  to 
make  known  throughout  the  limits  of  his  influence,  the  views, 
operations  and  success  of  the  Society;  and  that  which  it  hasbeen 
attempting  in  weakness,  will  be  done  with  power,  that  which  pri- 
vate charity  has  so  well  commenced,  be  completed  by  the  bounty  of 
the  States  and  the  Nation. 

In  concluding  this,  perhaps  too  protracted  address,  the  Mana- 
gers beg  leave  to  say,  that  not  less  than  one  thousand  emigrants  are 
now  seeking  a passage  to  Liberia;  that  the  Colony  is  prepared  to  re- 
ceive them,  that  funds  only  are  wanting  to  enable  the  society  to  prose- 
cute its  enterprise  on  a large  scale,  and  that  all  which  can  appeal  to  our 
interests,  encourage  our  hopes,  or  move  our  hearts  to  charity,  now 
commends  the  cause  of  African  Colonization  to  the  affection  and 


s 


\ 


liberality  of  otu  countrymen.  Nor  will  they,  the  Managers  are 
persuaded,  remain  insensible  to  the  merits  of  this  cause.  Every 
where  meet  us  the  indications  of  its  growing  popularity.  Justice 
and  Compassion,  Mercy  and  Charity,  have  gone  forth  in  fellowship, 
to  plead  for  it,  and  the  Managers  trust  in  the  great  Author  of  all  good 
to  send  forth  his  spirit  to  their  aid — that  Spirit — under  whose  di- 
vine illuminations  and  all-gracious  but  all-subduing  energies,  men 
of  every  country  and  condition  shall  finally  rejoice  in  peace  and 
love,  sharers,  in  unity,  of  the  same  faith,  and  of  the  same  hope  of 
the  great  and  common  salvation.  And  if  from  the  thick  gloom 
overshadowing  Africa,  light  begins  to  break  forth,  let  us  look  for 
brighter  glory,  and  believe  that  he  who  made  Joseph’s  captivity 
the  precursor  «of  his  honour,  and  his  usefulness,  and  the  death 
of  his  own  Son,  at  which  nature  trembled,  the  means  of  hu- 
man redemption,  will  finally  change  the  evils  which  have  cursed 
Africa,  into  blessings;  that  the  slave  trade  and  slavery,  which  have 
been  to  her  a torrent  of  wrath,  laying  waste  all  her  happiness  and 
hopes,  will  end  in  a tide,  deep,  tranquil  and  refreshing,  flow- 
ing forth  to  wake  life  and  gladness  in  all  her  wildernesses  and  soli- 
tary places,  and  to  make  even  her  deserts  to  bud  and  blossom  as  the 
rose. 

By  order  of  the  Board. 

R.  R.  GURLEY,  Secretary. 


Editors  of  Newspapers  and  other  periodicals  are  respectfully 

requested  to  publish  the  above  address. 

All  collections  or  donations  may  be  transmitted  by  mail,  to 
Richard  Smith.  Esq.  Treasurer,  Washington  City,  or  to  the  Treasurer  of  any  of  the 
Slate  Societies. 

The  Treasurers  of  State  and  other  Auxiliary  Societies,  with 

whom  collections  may  be  deposited,  will  please  .send  to  us  the  names  of  all  clergy- 
men by  whom  the  collections  were  taken  up,  that  they  may  be  early  supplied  with 
the  African  Repository  gratuitously 

$3*  All  communications  relating  to  the  general  interests  ot  the 

Society,  or  the  Editorial  Department  of  the  Repository,  to  be  directed  to  R.  R3  Gur  \ 
ley,  Secretary,  Washington.  Those  relating  to  the  pecuniary  concerns  of  the  Re- 
pository, to  James  C.  Dunn,  Georgetown. 

$3*  The  Repository  is  published  monthly,  each  No.  containing 

32  pages,  at  $2  per  year 

$£3a  This  Address  furnished  promptly  to  all  orders,  at  $2  per  100. 


\ 7 


APPENDIX. 


Origin  of  the  Society. 

l)r.  Vothergill  and  Granville  Sharp  appear  first  to  have  considered  the 
subject  of  African  Colonization  in  England.  The  latter  of  these  a most  il- 
lustrious philanthropist,  may  be  regarded  as  the  founder  of  the  Colony  of 
Sierra  Leone.  Indeed,  the  earliest  thoughts  the  writer  has  seen  on  Afiican 
Colonization,  are  from  the  pen  of  Granville  Sharp  in  1783.  The  late  Dr. 
Thornton  of  Washington,  was  enthusiastically  engaged  in  favour  of  coloni- 
zing free  men  of  colour,  from  the  U.  States  in  Africa  in  1787,  but  unfortu- 
nately his  efforts  failed.  The  venerable  Dr.  Hopkins  of  Rhode  Island  corres- 
ponded with  G.  Sharp  on  the  subject  in  1789,  and  Ferdinando  Fairfax  of 
Virginia,  published  an  able  article  on  the  subject  in  1790.  The  subject  was 
seriously  considered  in  the  Virginia  Legislature  during  the  administration  of 
Mr.  Jefferson  The  ltev.  Dr.  Finley  of  New  Jersey  gave  much  thought  to 
it,  in  1814 — 15,  and  assisted  by  the  lion.  C.  F.  Mercer,  F.  S.  Key  and  E.  B. 
Caldwell  and  others,  who  had  also  long  reflected  upon  the  matter,  founded 
the  Society  in  December  1816. 

In  the  session  of  the  legislature  of  Virginia,  in  1816,  the  subject  was 
brought  forward,  and  the  following  resolution  was  adopted  by  a large  ma- 
jority. 

‘Whereas  the  General  Assembly  of  Virginia  have  repeatedly  sought  to 
obtain  an  asylum  beyond  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  for  such  persons  of 
colour  as  had  been  or  might  be  emancipated  under  the  laws  of  this  Com- 
monwealth, but  have  hitherto  found  all  their  efforts  frustrated,  either  by  the 
disturbed  state  of  other  nations,  or  domestic  causes  equally  unpropitious  to 
its  success. 

‘They  now  avail  themselves  of  a period  when  peace  has  healed  the  wounds 
of  humanity,  and  the  principal  nations  of  Europe  have  concurred  with  the 
government  of  the  United  States,  in  abolishing  the  African  Slave  Trade  (a 
traffic  which  this  Commonwealth,  both  before  and  since  the  revolution,  zeal- 
ously sought  to  exterminate,)  to  renew  this  effort,  and  do  therefore 

‘ Resolve,  That  the  executive  be  requested  to  correspond  with  the  President 
of  the  U.  States,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a Territory  on  the  coast  of  Af- 
rica, or  at  some  other  place,  not  within  any  of  the  stales  or  territorial  gov- 
ernments of  the  U.  States,  to  serve  as  an  asylum  for  such  persons  of  colour 
as  are  now  free,  and  may  desire  the  same,  and  for  those  who  may  hereaf- 
ter be  emancipated  within  this  Commonwealth;  and  that  the  Senators  and 
Representatives  of  this  state  in  the  Congress  of  the  U.  States,  be  requested 
to  exert  their  best  efforts  to  aid  the  President  of  the  U.  States  in  the  at- 
tainment of  the  above  objects. 

‘Provided,  That  no  contract  or  arrangement  respecting  such  territory 
shall  be  obligatory  on  this  Commonwealth,  until  ratified  by  the  legislature.’ 
Early  proceedings  of  the  Society. 

In  1818,  Messrs  Mills  and  Burgess  visited  Africa  by  the  way  of  England, 
and  acquired  much  valuable  information.  The  death  of  Mr.  Mills  on  his  re- 
turn, deprived  the  world  of  one  of  the  best  and  most  useful  of  men.  The 
reports  of  these  agents  were  of  great  importance. 

The  first  expedition,  that  of  the  Elizabeth,  sailed  in  1820,  with  the  socie- 
ty’s Agent,  tlie  Rev.  Samuel  Bacon,  and  two  agents  of  the  government, 
Messrs  Crozer  and  Bankson,  who,  in  an  unfortunate  attempt  to  establish  the 
colony  at  an  unfavourable  season  on  the  unhealthy  Island  of  Sherbo,  with 
several  of  the  emigrants,  fell  victims  to  the  African  fever.  In  1821,  Messrs 
Andrews  and  Wiltberger  on  the  part  of  the  Society,  and  Messrs  Winn  and 


f 


10 


K.  Bacon  as  United  Slates  agents,  with  a number  of  emigrants,  proceeded 
to  Africa,  and  obtained  permission  of  the  government  of  Sierra  Leone,  for 
the  colonists  to  remain  there  until  a territory  could  be  purchased  of  the  na- 
tives. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Winn  and  Mr.  Andrews  died  before  any  suitable 
tract  for  the  colony  was  obtained. 
f Founding  of  the  Colony. 

In  December,  1821,  Dr.  Eli  Ayres,  with  Capt.  Stockton,  of  the  United 
States  Navy',  purchased  from  the  natives  the  whole  of  a territory  called 
Montserado,  on  the  south  west  coast  of  Africa,  in  the  name  of  the  Society. 
The  first  settlers  arrived  at  the  Colony  in  June,  1822;  and  in  that  year,  Mr. 
Ashmun  took  charge  of  it,  as  Agent  or  Governor,  in  the  place  of  Dr.  Ayres, 
whose  health  had  obliged  him  to  return.  The  efforts  of  Dr.  Ayres  were 
of  great  importance. 

Attempt  of  the  natives  to  destroy  the  infant  Colony. 

This  was  made  in  November  1822,  soon  after  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Ashmun 
and  while  he  was  dangerously  ill.  The  defences  of  the  colony  were  in- 
complete, and  tile  whole  effective  force  consisted  of  thirty. five  men.  They 
fought  for  existence,  and  in  the  bravest  manner. 

The  enemy  consisted  of  a body  of  eight  hundred  men,  and  made  a most 
furious  attack  on  the  8th  of  November,  1822  Unfortunately  one  pass  was 
neglected  to  be  properly  defended,  and  there  the  enemy  forced  an  en- 
trance, and  captured  one  of  the  guns,  which  happily  they  knew  not  how  to 
pnanage.  The  colony  was  saved  by  their  want  of  discipline.  Had  they 
pushed  forward,  their  success  was  certain;  the  colonists  could  not  have  re- 
sisted; but  the  assailants  betook  themselves  to  plunder,  in  great  confusion: 
this  afforded  the  colonists  time  to  rally;  they  recaptured  the  gun;  and  turn- 
edit  on  the  enemy,  who  were  wedged  in  a solid  mass.  Great  destruction 
took  place,  and  they  fled  in  utter  confusion;  it  was  supposed  they  had  60 
or  80  killed.  The  loss  on  the  other  side,  was  considerable,  three  men  and 
one  woman  killed,  two  men  and  two  women  severely  wounded,  and  seven 
children  captured. 

The  colonists,  as  soon  as  the  enemy  had  disappeared,  immediately  began 
to  complete  their  defences,  and  prepare  for  another  attack,  which  they 
understood  from  their  spies,  was  to  be  made  with  a greater  force  at  the 
close  of  the  month.  The  attack  accordingly  commenced  on  the  80th,  with 
one  thousand  five  hundred  assailants.  The  fortifications  were  in  a far  bet- 
ter state  than  before,  but  the  number  of  effective  men  less,  not  quite  30. — 
The  besiegers  were,  after  a long  and  ardent  struggle,  finally  defeated,  with 
severe  loss.  The  garrison  had  one  man  killed,  and  two  badly  wounded. — 
Mr.  Ashmun’s  services  were  invaluable,  and  were  the  means  of  saving  the 
place. 

Establishment  and  form  of  Government. 

The  existing  firn  of  government  was  established  in  August  1824,  during 
the  visit  of  the  present  Secretary  of  the  Society.  Great  difficulties  had 
arisen  in  the  administration  of  affairs,  and  the  whole  state  of  things  was 
dark  and  unsettled.  The  form  of  government  then  drawn  up,  was  submit- 
ted to  the  assembled  colonists,  and  by  them  unanimously  adopted.  The 
Board  of  Managers  of  the  Society  appoint  the  Colonial  Agent,  who  is  a 
white  man:  all  the  other  officers  are  men  of  colour,  the  most  important  of 
which,  are  elected  annually  by  the  colonists.  The  government  is  in  great 
measure  Republican,  and  designed  expressly  to  prepare  the  colonists  ably 
and  successfully  to  govern  themselves.  In  their  address  to  their  brethren 
of  the  United  States  in  1827,  they  say  “our  laws  are  altogether  our  own, 
they  grew  out  of  our  circumstances;  are  formed  for  our  exclusive  benefit; 
and  administered  either  by  officers  of  our  own  appointment,  or  such  as  pos- 
sess our  entire  confidence.  We  have  a judiciary',  chosen  from  among  our- 
selves; we  serve  as  jurors  in  the  trial  of  others;  and  are  liable  to  be  tried 
only  bv  juries  of  our  fellow-citizens,  ourselves.  We  have  all  that  is  meant 


it 


l>y  liberty  of  conscience;  the  lime  and  mode  of  worshipping  God  as  pre- 
scribed to  its  in  his  word,  and  dictated  by  our  conscience,  we  are  not  only 
free  to  follow,  but  are  protected  in  following.”  Shortly  after  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  government,  Mr.  Ashmun  was  appointed  Colonial  Agent, 
and  with  distinguished  ability  and  usefulness,  , Continued  to  discharge  his 
duties,  until  in  1828,  an  illness  which  soon  proved  fatal,  compelled  him  to  \ 
leave  his  station.  Dr.  Richard  Randall  succeeded  him  in  the  agency,  but  • . 

the  colony  was  soon  called  to  mourn  his  decease.  Dr.  Mechlin  is  the 
present  Colonial  Agent  and  long  may  his  valuable  life  be  preserved  to  the 
cause!  Among  those  who  have  fallen  as  martyrs  to  this  work  of  humanity 
and  religion,  should  be  recorded  the  names  of  Sessions  and  Anderson  and 
Holton  and  Skinner  and  Peaco  and  Seton,  all  of  whom  laboured  to  promote 
it  as  Physicians,  Agents,  Missionaries,  or  in  some  way  gave  to  it,  their  ser- 
vices. Nor  will  such  men  of  colour  as  Cary  and  Erskine  be  forgotten 
while  Philanthropy  and  Piety  are  respected  among  Men. 

Description  of  the  Colony. 

The  name  of  Liberia,  has  been  given  to  the  Colony,  because  it  is  the 
land  of  the  free’d.  Cape  Montserado,  on  which  stands  the  principal  town 
( Monrovia,  so  called,  in  honour  of  President  Monroe,)  lies  in  about  the  sixth 
degree  of  North  Latitude.  The  tract  of  country  under  the  Colonial  juris- 
diction, has  been  obtained  by  fair  purchase,  from  time  to  time,  from  the  na- 
tives, and  extends  from  one  hundred  and  fifty,  to  two  hundred  miles  along 
the  coast,  and  indefinitely  into  the  interior.  Two  important  Districts, 

Grand  Bassa,  and  Cape  Mount,  have  recently  been  acquired  in  this  way. — 

There  are  several  rivers,  most  of  them  small  however.  The  St.  Paul’s  is 
half  a mile  wide  at  its  mouth,  and  were  it  not  obstructed  by  falls,  would  ad- 
mit of  boat  navigation,  two  or  three  hundred  miles.  The  three  principal 
Towns  are  Monrovia,  and  Caldwell,  about  seven  miles  distant  on  the  St. 

Paul’s  (which  is  connected  with  the  Montserado  river,  by  Stockton  Creek,) 
and  Mills  and  Burgess,  (or  by  contraction  Millsburg,)  about  fifteen  miles 
above  Caldwell,  on  the  same  river.  The  houses  in  Monrovia,  are  substan- 
tially built,  many  of  them  of  stone. 

Fertility  and  Agriculture. 

In  their  address,  the  Colonists  say,  “A  more  fertile  soil,  and  a more  pro- 
ductive county,  so  far  as  it  is  cultivated,  there  is  not,  we  believe  on  the  face 
of  the  earth.”  Dr.  Randall  says,  ‘‘that  the  land  on  both  sides  of  Stockton 
Creek,  is  equal,  in  every  respect  to  the  best  on  the  southern  rivers  of  the 
United  States.” 

Mr.  Ashmun  thus  enumerates  the  animals  and  products  of  the  country: 
Horses,  cattle,  sheep,  goats,  swine,  ducks,  geese,  chickens,  and  Guinea 
fowls,  in  abundance;  fish  in  the  greatest  plenty;  plantains,  bananas,  vines, 
lemons,  oranges,  tamarinds,  mangoes,  cashew,  prunes,  guavavpine  apple, 
grape,  cherry,  and  a species  of  peach;  sweet  potatoe,  cassada,  yams,  cocoa, 
ground  nuts,  arrow  root,  egg  plant,  okra,  every  variety  of  beans  and  peas, 
cucumbers  and  melons,  pumpkins,  &c.  &c.;  rice,  Indian  corn,  Guinea  corn, 
millet,  pepper,  excellent  coffee,  sugar,  cotton  and  indigo.  Indeed,  sugar, 
cotton,  coffee,  and  indigo,  grow  wild. 

Clima  te,  and  health  of  the  Settlers. 

In  the  early  years  of  the  Colony,  want  of  good  houses,  the  great  fatigues 
and  dangers  of  the  settlers,  the  discouragements  they  met  with,  their  igno- 
rance ot  the  proper  mode  of  living,  and  of  the  best  remedies,  aided  the 
other  causes  of  sickness,  and  produced  great  mortality.  But  those  times  are 
past  and  forgotten.  Their  houses  and  circumstances  are  now  comfortable; 
they  are  abundantly  supplied  with  medical  assistance;  and  for  the  last  five 
years  (as  stated  in  the  address  of  the  Colonists  in  1827,)  not  one  person  in 
torty,  from  the  middle  and  Southern  States,  has  died  from  change  of  climate. 

The  effect  is  most  severely  felt  by  those  from  the  Northern  States,  or  from 
mountainous  parts  of  the  middle  States;  but  experience  lias  proved  that, 


12 


with  ordinary  prudence,  no  danger  is  to  be  apprehended  even  by  persons 
from  those  places,  who  are  sober  and  have  no  radical  defects  of  constitution. 
As  the  country  becomes  more  thickly  settled  and  better  cultivated,  it  will 
like  all  other  new  countries,  become  more  healthy.  From  the  past  mortal- 
ity or  present  sickliness,  no  discouragement  will  be  felt  by  those  who  have 
read  an  account  of  the  early  attempts  to  found  Colonies  in  this  favoured 
land.  At  a little  distance  from  the  sea,  the  land  becomes  more  elevated, 
and  there  is  the  best  reason  to  believe  that  the  causes  of  disease  on  the  coast 
are  unknown  in  the  interior.  On  these  highlands,  settlements  will  doubtless 
soon  be  established.  Under  date  of  the  28th  of  April,  1832,  l)r.  Mechlin, 
writes,  “among  the  emigrants  by  the  Volador,  Criterion,  Orion,  James  l’er- 
kins,  Margaret  Mercer,  and  Crawford,  the  number  of  deaths  will  not  aver- 
age quite  4 per  cent.”  For  emigrants  from  the  wide  extent  of  our  southern 
country,  the  climate  may  be  pronounced  salubrious. 

Commerce. 

The  Colonists  are  actively  engaged  in  trade,  disposing  of  goods  supplied 
by  this  country  and  F.ngland,  for  dye  woods,  ivory,  hides,  gold,  palm  oil, 
and  rice,  which  they  purchase  by  barter  from  the  natives  The  nett  profits 
on  the  two  articles  of  wood  and  ivory,  passing  through  the  hands  of  the  set- 
tlers, from  January  1st,  1826,  to  June  15,  1826,  was  $30,786.  In  1829,  the 
exports  of  African  products  amounted  to  $60,000.  In  1831,  forty-six  ves- 
sels, twenty-one  of  which  were  American,  visited  the  Colony  in  the  course 
of  the  year,  and  the  amount  of  exports  was  $8S,911. 

Education  and  Moral  Slate  of  the  Colony. 

Great  efforts  have  been  made  to  establish  and  support  schools  in  the  Colo- 
ny. The  Managers  are  resolved  that  every  child  shall  enjoy  the  benefit  of 
instruction.  There  are  three  principal  schools,  and  the  following  will  show 
something  of  their  state,  according  to  tire  latest  returns. 


Present  condition  of  the  Public  Schools  at  Monrovia,  Caldwell  and  Millsbur". 


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Monrovia,  January  2,  1832.  ) To’tal  No.  of  Pupils  175 

J.  MECHLIN,  Jn.  = 

A school,  it  is  expected,  will  soon  be  established  for  the  special  benefit  of 
the  Recaptured  Africans,  who  form  a flourishing  village  by  themselves;  call- 
ed New  Georgia.  Few  communities,  it  is  believed,  are  more  moral  and  re- 
ligious than  that  at  Liberia.  Divine  service  is  attended  three  times  on  Sun- 
day, and  on  Thursday  and  Friday  evenings.  For  other  particulars  in  regard 
to  the  moral  character  of  the  Colony,  we  refer  our  readers  to  the  testimony 
of  those  who  have  visited  it. 


Influence  of  llie  Colony  in  suppressing  the  Slave  Trade,  and  civilizing  the  Na- 
tive Tribes. 

A late  English  Officer,  who  had  been  some  time  on  the  African  Coast, 
mentions  the  subject:  “Nothing  has  tended  more  to  suppress  the  slave 

trade  in  this  quarter  than  the  constant  intercourse  and  communication  of  the 
natives  with  these  industrious  Colonists  The  American  Agent,  Mr.  Ash- 
man, took  every  opportunity  and  means  in  his  power  to  extinguish  a traffic 
so  injurious  in  every  way  to  the  fair  trader;  and  at  Cape  Montserado  good 
and  correct  information  was  always  to  be  obtained  of  any  slave  vessels  on 
the  Coast  within  the  communication  or  influence  of  the  Colony.  This  ac- 
tive, respectable,  and  intelligent  man,  is  since  dead;  but  his  spirit  still  ac- 
tuates all  his  people.” 

The  same  Officer  observes;  ‘The  character  of  these  industrious  Colo'- 
nists  is  exceedingly  correct  and  moral,  their  minds  strongly  impressed  with 
religious  feelings,  their  manners  serious  and  decorous,  and  their  domestic 
habits  remarkably  neat  and  comfortable.  Wherever  the  influence  of  this 
Colony  extends,  the  slave  trade  has  been  abandoned  by  the  natives,  and 
the  peaceful  pursuits  of  legitimate  commerce  established  in  its  place.  A 
few  Colonies  of  this  kind  scattered  along  the  Coast,  would  be  of  infinite 
value  in  improving  the  natives.  They  would  much  sooner  acquire  their 
confidence  and  esteem,  as  not  exciting  that  jealousy  which  foreigners  al- 
ways cause;  and  the  very  example  of  their  own  race,  thus  raised  in  the 
moral  and  social  scale,  would  be  the  strongest  motive  to  induce  others  to 
adopt  and  practise  those  qualities  bv  which  they  were  rendered  so  much 
more  comfortable  and  happy.  Should  no  unfortunate  event  retard  the 
progress  of  those  Colonists,  and  no  baneful  vices  be  introduced  among 
them,  there  is  every  reason  to  hope  that  they  will  diffuse  cultivation  and 
improvement  in  Africa  to  a considerable  extent,  as  they  have  already  done, 
on  a limited  scale,  as  tar  as  their  influence  has  reached.’ 

The  Colonial  Agent  writes,  you  can  have  no  idea  of  the  favourable  im- 
pressions we  have  made  on  the  natives  of  the  country  They  are  constant- 
ly sending  messages,  requesting  us  to  settle  at  different  points  of  the 
coast.  During  a recent  visit  of  the  Agent  to  some  native  towns,  nearer  to 
the  Colony,  eight  or  ten  chiefs,  after  consultation  with  each  other,  united 
in  the  request  that  they  might  be  received  and  treated  as  subjects  of  the 
Colony. 

Slave  Trade — Origin,  Character , and  Extent. 

Henry,  King  of  Portugal,  under  authority  from  three  Roman  Pontiffs,  as 
early  as  the  year  1454,  took  possession  of  several  Islands  and  Havens  on 
the  Coast  of  Africa,  and  took  thence  many  Slaves —some  by  force,  and 
some  by  barter.  The  Portuguese  first  imported  Slaves  into  Hispaniola,  in 
1508;  and  into  their  nrazilian  Colonies,  in  1517.  For  more  than  three  cen- 
turies, some  of  the  Christian  powers  of  Europe  have  been  engaged  in  this 
traffic:  and,  for  more  than  a century  and  a half,  it  was  prosecuted,  by  all 
Christendom,  with  extraordinary  zeal  and  energy.  The  French  Guinea 
Company  contracted,  in  1702,  to  supply  the  Spanish  West  Indies  with  38,- 
000  negroes,  in  ten  years.  In  1713,  there  was  a Treaty  between  England 
and  Spain,  for  the  importation  of  144,000  negroes,  in  thirty  years.  Some 
have  estimated  the  whole  number  of  Slaves  exported  from  Africa,  since 
the  origin  of  this  trade,  at  nearly  20,000,000. 

The  cruelties  attending  this  trade,  are  probably  greater  now  than  at  any 
former  period.  The  slave  ships  are  now  crowded  to  excess,  and  the  mor- 
tallity  is  dreadful.  In  1816,  the  African  Instiution  ascertained,  that  one 
vessel,  of  180  tons,  took  530  slaves;  of  which,  120died  on  the  passage  to 
Tortola.  Another,  of  272  tons,  received  642  slaves,  and  lost  140.  Anoth- 
er vessel  lost  200,  out  of  600.  Another  96,  out  of  500.  Another,  of  120 
tons,  took  on  board  600  slaves;  and  though  when  captured,  she  had  sailed 
but  80  leagues,  she  had  lost  30,  and  many  others  were  in  a dying  state. — 


11 


Dr.  Philip,  a distinguished  missionary  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  esti- 
mates the  number  annually  exported,  at  100,000.  In  1823,  Mr.  Ashmun 
wrote  from  the  Colony,  that  at  least  2000  slaves  were  annually  exported 
from  capes  Mount  and  Montserado.  In  1824,  the  African  Institution  re- 
ports  120,000,  as  the  number  exported  from  the  coast,  and  presents  a de- 
tailed list  of  the  names  of  two  hundred  and  eighteen  vessels,  believed  to 
be  engaged  in  the  trade  during  that  year.  In  1827,  one  hundred  and  twen- 
ty-hve  vessels  sailed  from  Cuba  to  Africa,  for  slaves.  Within  the  last  elev- 
en years,  322,526  slaves  have  been  imported  into  the  single  port  of  Rio 
Janeiro;  that  is,  an  average  of  29,320  annually. 

1 he  Colony  of  Liberia  has  already  done  much,  and  will  do  vastly  more 
for  the  suppression  of  this  atrocious  trade. 

. Progress  of  the  Cause  of  the  Society  in  this  Country. 

The  Legislatures  of  fourteen  States,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  Conn. 
New  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Delaware,  Maryland,  Virginia,  Geor- 
gia, Tennessee,  Kentucky,  Ohio  and  Indiana,  have  passed  resolutions  dis- 
tinctly approving  of  the  Scheme  of  colonizing  the  free  coloured  popu- 
lation, and  most  of  them  recommending  the  objects  of  the  Society.  Eleven 
of  those  states  have  instructed  their  Senators,  and  requested  their  Repre- 
sentatives in  Congress  to  promote,  in  the  general  government,  measures 
tor  removing  such  free  persons  of  colour  as  are  desirous  of  emigrating  to 
Africa.  And  ‘nearly  all  the  ecclesiastical  bodies  in  the  United  States  have  , 
by  resolutions,  fully  expressed  their  opinion,  that  the  Society  merits  the 
consideration  and  favour  of  the  whole  Christian  community,  and  earnestly 
recommended  it  to  their  patronage.’ 

Numbers  Colonized. 

1 he  whole  number  of  emigrants  sent  out  by  the  Society  in  twenty-three 
expeditions  (the  recaptured  Africans  from  three  to  four  hundred  not  in- 
cluded) 2,061.  Of  the  above,  were  slaves,  manumitted  for  the  purpose  of 
colonization,  613 

Receipts  of  the  Society,  up  to  June  20th,  1832,  §155,912  52. 

Present  Estimated  expense  of  Colonization. 

This,  including  support  for  s:x  months  after  the  arrival  of  the  emigrants  in 
Africa  is  §35  each.  Were  the  scheme  to  be  prosecuted  on  a large  scale  the 
expense  would  doubtless  be  diminished. 

Number  of  Auxiliary  Societies  according  to  last  Report. 

I liese  amount  only  to  228.  Some  have  probably  been  omitted,  and  such 
(indeed  all)  are  earnestly  requested  to  report  to  the  Parent  Society  their 
s lists  of  officers,  and  number  of  members. 

~ “T 

Testimony  of  Captain  Nicholson , of  the  United  States  Navy. 

“The  appearance  of  all  the  colonists,  those  of  Monrovia,  as  well  as  those  of  Cald- 
well, indicated  more  than  contentment.  Their  manners  were  those  of  freemen,  who 
experienced  the  blessing  of  liberty,  and  appreciated  the  boon.  Many  of  them  had  by 
trade  acquired  a competency.  * * * The  children  born  in  the  country 

are  fine  looking,  and  1 presume  can  be  raised  as  easily  as  those  of  the  natives.  All 
the  colonists  with  whom  1 had  communication  (and  with  nearly  the  whole  of  them 
did  I communicate,  in  person  or  by  my  officers)  expressed  their  decided  icish  to  re- 
main in  their  present  situation,  rather  than  return  again  to  the  United  Stales. 

Testimony  of  Captain  Kennedy,  of  the  Java,  Norfolk,  June  22,  1831. 

I sought  out  the  most  shrewd  ar.d  intelligent  of  the  colonists,  many  of  whom  were 
personally  known  to  me,  ar.d  by  long  and  wary  conversations,  endeavoured  to  elicit 
from  them  any  dissatisfaction  with  their  situation,  if  such  existed,  or  any  latent  de- 
sire to  return  to  their  native  country.  Neither  of  these  did  I observe.  On  the  con- 
trary, I thought  I could  perceive  that  they  considered  that  they  had  started  into  a neio 
existence;  that,  disencumbered  of  the  mortifying  relations  in  which  they  formerly 
stood  in  society,  they  felt  themselves  proud  ill  their  attitude,  and  seemed  conscious, 
that  while  they  were  the  founders  of  a new  empire,  they  were  prosecuting  the  no- 
ble purpose  of  the  regeneration  of  the  land  of  their  fathers.” 


Testimony  of  Captain  Sherman,  May  10,  1830. 

No  white  people  are  allowed  to  reside  in  the  colony,  for  the  purpose  of  trade,  or  of 
pursuing  any  mechanical  business,  such  being  intended  for  the  exclusive  benefit  ot 
by  coloured  people. 

“The  townsphip  of  Caldwell  is  about  seven  miles  from  Monrovia,  on  St.  Paul’s  ri- 
ver, and  contains  a population  of  five  hundred  and  sixty  agriculturists.  The  soil  is  ex- 
ceedingly fertile  and  pleasant,  and  the  people  satisfied  and  happy.  The  emigrants 
carried  out  by  me,  and  from  whom  I received  a pleasing  and  satisfactory  account  of 
that  part  of  the  territory,  are  located  there.” 

Testimony  of  Captain  Abels,  Feb.  10,  1832. 

“On  the  14th  December,  I arrived  at  Monrovia,  and  on  the  15th  went  on  shore, 
and  was  received  in  the  most  polite  and  friendly  manner  by  the  governor.  Dr.  Mech- 
lin, who  introduced  me  to  the  ministers  and  principal  inhabitants.  All  the  colonists 
appeared  to  be  in  good  health.  All  my  expectations  in  regard  to  the  aspect  of  things, 
the  health,  hurmony,  order,  contentment,  industry,  and  general  prosperity  of  the  settlers, 
were  more  than  realized.  There  are  about  two  hundred  buildings  in  the  town  of  Mon- 
rovia, extending  along  the  Cape  Montserado,  not  far  from  a mile  and  a quarter. — 
Most  of  these  are  good  substantial  houses  and  stores,  (the  first  story  of  many  of  them 
being  of  stone,)  and  some  of  them  handsome,  spacious,  painted,  aud  with  Venetian 
blinds.  Nothing  struck  me  as  more  remarkable  than  the  great  superiority,  in  intelli- 
gence,manners,  conversation,  dress  and  general  appearance  in  every  respect,  of  the  peo- 
pleover  their  coloured  brethren  in  America.  So  much  was  I pleased  with  what  I saw, 
that  1 observed  to  the  people,  should  I make  a true  report,  it  would  hardly  be  credit- 
ed in  the  United  States.  Among  all  that  1 conversed  with,  I did  not  find  a discon- 
tented person,  or  hear  one  express  a desire  to  return  to  America?  1 saw  no  intempe- 
rance, nor  did  I hear  a profane  word  uttered  by  any  one.  Being  a Minister  of  the  Gos- 
pel, on  Christmas  day  I preached  both  in  the  Methodist  and  Baptist  Churches,  to  full 
and  attentive  congregations  offrotn  three  to  four  hundred  persons  in  each. 

“Most  of  the  settlers  appear  to  be  rapidly  acquiring  property;  and  I have  no  doubt 
they  are  doing  better  for  themselves  and  their  children  in  Liberia,  than  they  could 
do  in  any  other  part  of  the  world.  Could  the  free  people  of  colour  in  this  country 
but  see  the  real  condition  of  their  brethren  who  have  settled  in  Africa,  I am  persua- 
ded they  would  require  no  other  motive  to  induce  them  to  emigrate.  This  is  my 
decided  and  deliberate  judgment. 

“P.  S.  I have  several  times  dined  with  the  Colonists,  and  I think  no  better  tables 
could  be  set  in  any  part  of  the  world.  We  had  every  thing  that  heart  could  desire, 
of  meats,  and  fish,  and  fowles,  and  vegetables,  and  wines,”  &c.  &c.  • 

Testimony  of  Dr.  Shane  to  R.  S.  Finley  Esa.  under  date  of  Liberia,  Feb-  18,  1832. 
Dear  Sir: — With  great  pleasure  I inform  you  of  our  safe  arrival  at  Monrovia, 
with  all  the  passengers  in  good  health  and  spirits.  The  emigrants  were  immediate- 
ly taken  up  to  Caldwell,  where  they  will  remain  under  charge  of  Dr.  Todsen,  who 
resides  there,  until  they  have  their  seasoning  spell  (which  takes  place  in  two  or 
three  weeks),  after  which  their  lands  will  be  assigned  them,  and  every  facility  af- 
forded to  make  them  easy  and  comfortable  in  circumstances.  All  emigrants  here  are 
treated  with  the  utmost  kindness,  by  the  officers  of  government,  who  interest  them-  . 
selves  personally  in  their  behalf,  and  endeavour  to  make  them  as  comfortable  as  possible. 
Land  is  purchased  at  25  cents  per  acre,  and  every  inducement  held  out  to  the  farm 
er  and  mechanic.  Coii’ee,  sugar  cane  and  cotton  grow  wild;  the  last  of  which,  I was 
picking  myself  yesterday , in  sight  of  the  town.  1 hear  no  dissatisfaction  expressed 
by  the  emigrants,  nor  any  desire  to  return  to  the  United  States. 

I am  certain  no  friend  to  humanity,  can  come  here  and  see  the  state  of  things,  with- 
out being  impressed  with  the  immense  benefits  the  Society  is  conferring  on  the 
long  neglected  and  oppressed  sons  of  Africa,  and  find  their  whole  soul  enlisted  in 
behalf  of  so  noble  an  Institution.  Let  but  the  coloured  man  come  and  sec  for  him- 
self, and  the  tear  of  gratitude  will  beam  in  his  eye,  as  he  looks  forward  to  the  not 
far  distant  day,  when  Liberia  shall  take  her  stand  among  the  nations  of  the  world, 
and  proclaim  abroad  an  empire,  founded  by  benevolence — offering  a home  to  the 
poor,  oppressed  and  weary.  Nothing,  rest  assured  that  nothing  but  a want  of  knowl- 
edge of  Liberia,  prevents  thousands  of  honest,  industrious  free  blacks  from  rushing 
to  this  heaven-blessed  land,  where  liberty  and  religion,  with  all  their  blessings,  are 
enjoyed. 

Under  dale  of  Dec.  29,  1831,  the  Hon.  James  Madison  writes  to  the  Secretary. 

“I  may  observe  in  brief,  that  the  Society  had  always  my  good  wishes,  though  with 
hopes  of  its  success  less  sanguine  than  were  entertained  by  others,  found  to  have 
been  the  better  judges;  and,  that  I feel  the  greatest  pleasure  at  the  progress  already 
made  by  the  Society,  a id  the  encouragement  to  encounter  remaining  difficulties  af- 
forded by  the  earlier  and  greater  ones  already  overcome.  Many  circumstances  at 
the  present  moment  seem  to  concur  in  brightening  the  prospects  cf  the  Society,  and 


1G 


/ 

L 


cherishing  the  hope  that  Iht  lime  will  come,  when  the  dreadful  calamity  which  ha » so 
long  afflicted  our  country  and  filled  so  many  with  despair,  will  he  gradually  removed 
tend  by  means  consistent  with  justice,  peace  and  the  general  satisfaction-,  thus  giving 
to  our  country  the  full  enjoyment  of  the  blessings  of  liberty,  and  to  the  world  the 
full  benefit  of  its  great  example.  I never  considered  the  main  difficulty  of  the  great 
work  as  lying  in  the  deficiency  of  emancipations,  but  in  an  inadequacy  of  asylums  for 
such  a growing  mass  of  population,  and  in  the  great  expense  of  removing  it  to  its  new 
home.  The  spirit  of  private  manumission  as  the  laws  may  permit,  and  the  exiles 
may  consent,  is  increasing  and  will  increase;  and  there  arc  sufficient  indications  that 
the  public  authorities  in  slave-holding  States  are  looking  forward  to  interpositions  in 
different  l'otms  that  must  have  a powerful  effect.  With  respect  to  the  new  abode 
for  the  emigrants,  all  agree  that  the  choice  made  by  the  Society  is  rendered  peculiar- 
ly appropriate  by  considerations  which  need  not  be  repeated,  and  if  other  situations 
should  not  be  found  eligible  receptacles  for  a portion  of  them,  the  prosjwcts  in  Africa 
seem  to  be  expanding  in  a highly  encouraging  degree. 

‘In  contemplating  the  pecuniary  resources  needed  for  the  removal  of  suclia  num- 
ber to  so  great  a distance,  my  thoughts  and  hopes  have  been  long  turned  to  the  rich 
fund  presented  in  the  western  lands  of  the  Nation,  which  will  soon  entirely  cease  to 
be  under  a pledge  for  another  object.  The  great  one  in  question  is  truly  ofanutiou- 
al  character,  and  it  is  known  that  distinguished  patriots  not  dwelling  in  slave-hold- 
ing States  have  viewed  the  object  in  that  light,  and  would  be  willing  to  let  the  na- 
tional domain  be  a resource  in  effecting  it.’ 

Under  dale  of  Dec.  14, 1831,  Chief  Justice  Marshall  writes  to  the  Secretary. 

“The  great  object  of  the  Society,  I presume,  is  to  obtain  pecuniary  aids.  Appli- 
cation will  undoubtedly  be  made,  I hope  successfully,  to  the  several  State  Legisla- 
tures, by  the  societies  form . d within  them  respectively.  It  is  extremely  desirable 
that  they  should  pass  permanent  laws  on  the  s i : I > j ■ ct,  and  the  excitement  produced 
by  the  late  insurrection  makes  this  a favourable  moment  for  the  friends  of  the  Colony 
to  press  for  such  acts. 

‘It  is  undoubtedly  of  great  importance  to  retain  the  countenance  and  protection  of 
the  General  Government.  Some  of  our  cruizers  stationed  on  thecoast  of  Africa 
would,  at  the  same  time,  interrupt  the  slave  trade  -a  horrid  traffic,  detested  by  all  good 
men,  and  would  protect  the  vessels  and  commerce  of  the  Colony  from  pirates  who  in- 
fest those  seas.  The  power  of  the  government  to  afford  this  aid  is  not,  I believe, 
contested.  I regret  that  its  power  to  grant  pecuniary  aid  is  not  equally  free  from 
question.  On  this  subject,  I have  always  thought,  and  still  think,  that  the  proposi- 
tion made  by  Mr.  King,  in  the  Senate,  is  the  most  unexceptionable,  and  the  most 
effective  that  can  be  devised. 

‘The  fund  would  probabiy  operate  as  rapidly  as  would  be  desirable,  when  we 
take  into  view  the  other  resources  which  might  come  in  aid  ofit;  and  its  application 
would  be,  perhaps,  less  exposed  to  those  constitutional  objections  which  are  made  in 
the  South  than  the  application  of  money  drawn  from  the  treasury  and  raised  by  tax- 
es. The  lands  are  the  property  of  the  United  States,  and  have  heretofore  been  dis- 
posed of  by  the  government  under  the  idea  of  absolute  ownership.’ 

Things  which  should  be  done  to  aid  the  Cause. 

A State  Colonization  Society  should  he  formed  in  each  State  of  the  Union. — 
There  are  now  seventeen  State  Societies. 

It  is  vastly  important  that  each  State  Society  should  influence  our  fellow-ci- 
tizens to  establish  an  Auxiliary  Society  in  every  county  or  town  of  the  Union, 

Let  every  Clergyman  preach  at  least  once  a year  on  the  subject. 

Let  all  the  churches  of  every  denomination  in  the  United  States,  tale  tip  col 
lections  annually  for  the  Society,  on  nr  about  the  Fourth  of  July.  .. 

Let  meetings  of  the  citizens  be  held  in  every  county,  or  town  in  the  Uni- 
ted States,  and  memorials  in"  behalf  of  the  cause  of  the  Society,  he  sent  in 
by  them  to  their  State  Legislatures,  and  to  Congress. 

Let  the  Ladies  every  where  form  associations  to  assist  the  object. 

Let  every  Editor  publish  something  in  its  favour  weekly,  and  send  his  paper 
in  exchange  to  the  African  Ileposilory,  Washington  City. 

Let  the  Friends  of  the  cause,  make  such  arrangements,  as  may  give  an 
opportunity  to  every  individual  in  the  country  of  making  annually  a contri- 
bution, if  it  be  but  of  a single  cent,  to  promote  it. 

Finally,  let  every  man  feci  it  to  he  a personal  duty  to  give  his  counte- 
nance and  support  to  the  cause,  let  him  realize  its  greatness,  its  practicabil- 
ity and  glory,  and  the  work  will  soon  be  done. 


